Anti-drone weapons in planning – The Sangai Express

NEW DELHI, September 3
Like Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur will also have several anti-drone guns following an unprecedented and worrying increase in attacks by Kuki militias. According to a senior official, the armed forces have decided to deploy the guns and the local government will procure additional units to counter the new type of attacks.
On September 1, Kuki militias for the first time used multiple RPGs with high-tech drones to attack forces, including the Border Security Force (BSF), in an attack in Koutruk, Imphal West. Officials in Manipur reported that the situation had become so bad that forces were struggling to exit their vehicles.
“Kuki militants used drones to drop bombs on the BSF and Manipur Local Police stationed in the area. Whenever the soldiers tried to leave their vehicles, the militants used drones to drop more bombs.
After sunset, the forces were able to effectively counter the threat. We also managed to capture a crashed drone,” an official based in Manipur told News18.
The incident has shocked senior security officials, including those from the Home Ministry. To counter such attacks, anti-drone guns will be deployed and the armed forces will be instructed to shoot down drones, just like on the India-Pakistan border. To deal with the current situation, the Assam Rifles will deploy its anti-drone guns and the state government will procure additional units. The deployment of the anti-drone guns will be done at regular intervals to create a net-like cover, the official said.
“While drone bombs are already used in general warfare, this latest use of drones to drop explosives on security forces and civilians represents a significant escalation. The deployment of highly trained professionals with technical expertise and support cannot be ruled out. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and the police are prepared to respond to any eventuality that may arise,” Manipur Police said.
Officials of the Union government are also concerned about the attack, as even intelligence agencies were unaware that the militants were planning to attack the armed forces with drones. News18